Let the speculation begin.
The City of Vancouver sent out a press release Wednesday evening, alerting the media of a “joint announcement” coming with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster have been listed as the speakers for the press conference, which is set for Thursday morning at City Hall.
It doesn’t take a big imagination to connect the dots here.
The Whitecaps are looking to build a soccer-specific stadium and have been in talks with City officials about constructing one at the PNE since April. Hastings Racecourse, which was widely seen as the most likely spot for a new stadium, ceased operations after 133 years of horse racing just five days ago.
It appears the Whitecaps have a fan in Sim, who spent the weekend in Fort Lauderdale, cheering on the club in the MLS Cup Final.
A Vancouver Whitecaps tailgate!
We’re certainly not anywhere near downtown Miami for MLS Cup, so the #VWFC fans have taken to tailgating.
Mayor Ken Sim among them. pic.twitter.com/suqzqDoitS
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) December 6, 2025
MLS commissioner Don Garber, who has been quite outspoken about the Whitecaps’ need for a new stadium, met with the Mayor during his visit to Vancouver last month.
“I’m here on a mission to try and figure out ways we can capitalize on all the success of this club,” Garber said during his visit. “Take that opportunity and turn it into something that’ll work in a more economically rational way.”
Garber has continually referred to the Whitecaps’ lease at BC Place, which expires after this year, as “untenable.”
It’s been 362 days since the Whitecaps ownership group announced that the team was for sale, which immediately sparked fears that the team could move to another city. If the Whitecaps can build a new stadium, it promises to improve the financial viability of the club, and perhaps a new owner won’t be far behind.